FRIENDS OF THE PARK INC (d/b/a Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park)
To transform Jacksonville’s first and most historic park into a modern, urban space that engages diverse communities and restores vitality to the city’s public square.
About FRIENDS OF THE PARK INC (d/b/a Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park)
Friends of the Park, Inc. (d/b/a Friends of James Weldon Johnson Park) is a Jacksonville-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded to manage, program, and revitalize James Weldon Johnson Park in downtown Jacksonville. The organization is contracted with the City of Jacksonville to operate the park and programs and runs year-round public events, volunteer activities, and community festivals.
Friends of the Park centers inclusive, family-friendly cultural programming, public art, and historic interpretation tied to the park’s namesake. Recent activity includes recurring signature events (for example Brew & Barbecue, which continued in 2025), a 160th anniversary program series in 2026, and partnership work with a landscape design firm to advance park improvements.
The organization funds programming through donations, sponsorships, concessions and grants and maintains an active public-facing website for event listings, volunteering and donations. Recent nonprofit filings show operating revenues used to sustain programming and staff-supported event delivery in the last several fiscal years.
Notable achievements
Rebranding and Revitalization
Led the park’s rebranding and programming shift to James Weldon Johnson Park, refocusing the site on civic history and inclusive community activation following the removal of the prior monument.
Sustained Annual Programming
Produced recurring, large-scale public events and free festival series across multiple years (including the long-running Brew & Barbecue event), bringing thousands of residents and visitors to downtown Jacksonville.
Grant-funded Cultural Projects
Secured competitive public arts and cultural project funding to expand festival programming and community outreach, enabling higher-quality events and broader participation.
At a glance
- Total assets
- $14K
- Annual revenue
- $757K
- Tax status
- 501(c)(3)Public charity
- EIN
- 45-4403411
- Location
- Jacksonville, FL
- Website
- jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org
- On Mahalo since
- May 2026
Financial figures from the IRS Business Master File, the IRS’s registry of tax-exempt organizations.
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